Alarm switch



p 1962 c. J. EVERETT 3,054,869

ALARM SWITCH Filed May 31; 1960 /O E l /6 E/ i 50 Z0 INVENTOR.

I G. 3 CHARLES J. EVERETT ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,tl54,869 ALARM SWITCH Charles J. Everett, Central lslip, N.Y., assignor to Holmes Electric Protective Company, New Yorir, NY a corporation oi New York Filed May 31, 1960, Ser. No. 312,629 2 Claims. (til. 2--:52)

This invention relates to switches for burglar alarms and more particularly to a manually operated pull switch for a cash drawer or till.

In large establishments where money is handled, for example in banks, when a robbery occurs it often happens that the person or clerk face to face with a gunman has no opportunity to turn in an alarm. In fact most banks today exhort their employeees to do nothing that would cause a gunman or other robber to injure them. However, a fellow-worker performing his job in a normal manner may notice something amiss and desire to turn in the alarm without drawing attention to himself. Prior to my invention there have been on the market numerous pull switches for turning in an alarm during a robbery. These prior switches had a number of deficiencies which are now overcome by my present invention. For example, when a former switch was actuated it would initiate an alarm with considerable noise; a sharp click which could draw the attention of a gunman. Also, it was possible with the old switch to turn in an alarm without looking the switch in place with a result that occasionally a false alarm would be turned in either intentionally or unintentionally requiring the police to answer such an alarm after which there would be no way of determining from where the alarm was turned in.

It is an object of my invention to provide an alarm switch which can be unobtrusively actuated.

Another object of my invention is to provide an alarm switch which when actuated must simultaneously lock into place and retain this locked position to enable a person answering an alarm to determine from whence the alarm originated.

A further object is to provide an alarm switch which after being actuated and locked into position can be quickly and easily returned to operation.

Still another object is to provide an alarm switch which requires little or no supervision or maintenance.

Further objects will become apparent from a study of the attached drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial section of a cash drawer viewed from the front showing my alarm switch in place.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective View of my alarm switch itself.

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view partially cut away, and

FIGURE 4 is a section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Examining the drawing more closely it is seen that 1 is a cash drawer with the alarm switch mounted therein within easy access of a persons fingers. Within the casing 11 of said switch is a slidable block 12 containing a finger hole 13 therein. Fastened to the block 12 is a plastic spring locking lever 14 which has a cut out portion to engage ledge 15 when the finger block is actuated. Adjacent to said ledge is a cushion block 16 made of foam plastic which serves to deaden any clicking sound that might occur during actuation. At the other end of block 12 is a coil spring 17 which serves to return and retain said block in its proper position.

Adjacent to the locking lever 14 is a transfer switch 18 with a leaf spring 19 that urges lever 14 toward ledge 15.

It is seen that when block 12. is retracted against the spring 17, leaf spring 19 will urge locking lever 14 into engagement with the ledge 15 and at the same time switch 18 will be released, thus transmitting a signal through wires 20.

To reset the switch a key 21 is inserted through hole 22. which pushes lever 14 away from ledge 15 against the force of spring 19. When this occurs coil spring 17 will force block 12 to return to a ready position.

I claim:

1. An alarm switch comprising a casing, having an opening therein, a slidable block within said casing and having a cavity therein beneath said opening, a coil spring at one end of said block, a resilient arm extending from one side of the end opposite to the end having the coil spring, said arm having a notched portion for engagement with a ledge extending from the side of the casing nearest said arm, an insulating cushion interposed between said arm and said casing and fastened to said casing adjacent said ledge, a spring actuated switch fastened to said casing on the side of said arm opposite to the side nearest the ledge, said switch constantly urging said arm toward said ledge, and electrical conduits connected to said switch, whereby pulling the block back against the coil spring permits said spring actuated switch to transmit a signal and at the same instant to force said arm toward the near side of the casing and to engage said ledge.

2. An alarm switch comprising a casing, a slidable block within said casing, a coil spring at one end of said block, a resilient arm extending from one side of the end opposite to the end having the coil spring, said arm having a notched portion for engagement with a ledge extending from the side of the casing nearest said arm, an insulating cushion interposed between said arm and said casing and fastened to said casing adjacent said ledge, a spring actuated switch fastened to said casing on the side of said arm opposite to the side nearest the ledge, whereby relative movement between the casing and block against said coil spring permits said spring actuated switch to transmit a signal and at the same instant to force said arm toward the near side of the casing and to engage said ledge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,648,234 Lester Aug. 11, 1953 

